Congress proclaimed Ferdinand “BBM” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte the next president and vice president of the Philippines on Wednesday, May 25, in the fastest canvassing in the country’s election history.
“This is a historic win for BBM and Sara considering that they are from one team and were elected by the majority,” said Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who led their campaign in Negros Occidental.
“We wish them all the best,” he said.
“We wish the new president and vice president well in the next six years. I campaigned for them because I am confident that they will deliver the good governance that all of us are hoping and praying for”, Esteban “Sonny” Coscolluela, their Negros Occidental campaign spokesman, said.
“What they will do will bode well for this province (Negros Occidental) as well as the sugar industry,” Coscolluela said.
The elections are over, there should be no more reds and pinks but one province and one nation, he added.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said “on behalf of the people of Bacolod, we wish the incoming president and the vice president well as they start their term on June 30 after garnering the record-setting number of votes during the May 9 polls”.
“Multi-faceted challenges await our national leaders as the country is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economic slowdown and the natural calamities that left many homeless,” he said.
But with optimism and strong resolve, genuine reconciliation and unity, they will no doubt triumph against odds, Leonardia added.
Coscolluela and Leonardia both congratulated Marcos and Duterte on their proclamations.
Marcos and Duterte were proclaimed the winners by the House and Senate, acting as the National Board of Canvassers.
Marcos won the presidency by 31,629,783 votes, or more than 16 million votes ahead of second placer Leni Robredo, the joint congressional canvassing committee said.
Duterte won the vice presidency with 32,208,417 votes, or 22 million over her closest rival, Senator Francis Pangilinan.*